One thing is for sure: this upcoming NFL season is about to crank up the heat in the Jets-Bills match-ups. The AFC East rivalry is renewing tensions on the horizon, and Buffalo tackle Dion Dawkins had few words for the rival team. Three-time Pro Bowler Dawkins wasn’t happy with the “overly disrespectful” attitude of some Jets players toward QB Josh Allen. During his interview with Good Morning Football, Dawkins made himself pretty clear by saying, “I respect players, and people who play the game the right way, with passion,”. 

To follow up on those comments, the Bills tackle mentions how some Jets players aren’t necessarily bad. But when one player does something disrespectful, it affects the whole team. Setting aside controversies, both teams ended up with a bad run in the 2023 season. But the Buffalo team faced further losses post that. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis left a hole in the offense, while Micah Hyde, Jordan Pover, and Tre’Davious White’s departures have weakened the defense.

Pointing to those changes, the Bills’ Dawkins shared his views on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Guys come, guys go, guys have to be ready. I think regardless of who is in those spots, we know that they’re gonna give it their all. You know, 14 (Stefon Diggs), 21 (Jordan Poyer), 23 (Micah Hyde), all those numbers might not have those same faces, but we’re shooting for the stars. 

Last season, the Bills weren’t able to grab the bragging rights for too long. In week 1, the Jets swayed away the Bills with 22-16. While in the return game during week 11, the Buffaloes scored a resounding victory against the team with 32-6. However, the November 19 match-up didn’t end like other matches, where players shook their hands and headed into their respective locker rooms. Instead, tensions flared up when Buffaloes tackle Dion Dawkins and Jets’ defensive linesman Michael Clemons squared off against each other.

Dion Dawkins protecting Josh Allen while questioning the Jets’ professionalism

Dion was quick to call out the Jets players’ attitude as “weirdos being weird” after the incident. He was particularly unhappy with Clemons, whom he referred to as “b***h boy.” Later, he said, “I hate them, all of them, bro,” while speaking in an interview with VladTV. Reminiscing about those events, Dawkins continued with the allegations on Clemons and how he cursed QB Josh Allen and other Buffalo players on-field.

The game itself was a heated encounter, with Dawkins and Clemons battling each other multiple times. Among those duels, Dawkins dominantly won a block that pushed Clemons to the side while gaining a roughness penalty. Although Clemons wasn’t too happy with the Buffalo tackle, Dawkins maintained a higher vantage point for the rest of the game.

After Dion’s comments on this squabble went viral, another Jets cornerback, Sauce Gardner, was quick to express his opinion: “I play this game because I love it, and it takes care of my family. I have no ‘NFL beef’ with anybody. I didn’t know that was a thing until I just watched this video.” Nevertheless, whatever happens in the upcoming season, the feud will only add more spice for the fans.